First World War Centenary Events at Winchester Cathedral

All are welcome to join us for a series of commemorative events and services to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

8 OCTOBER TO 14 DECEMBERBOX 459Box 459 commemorates the 459 fallen in Winchester and its District in the First World War 100 years ago. It has returned to Winchester Cathedral, where it started its journey around the Winchester district just over 4 years ago when it was commissioned by Winchester City Council. This is in anticipation of the various commemorations which will be taking place in the run up to and on Armistice Day (11 November) in many of which it will play a part.

MONDAY 5 TO MONDAY 19 NOVEMBERPOPPIES FOR PEACEEarlier this year groups of people spent many hours knitting 2018 woollen poppies which will be placed on the railings in the Outer Close to recall the poppy fields of Flanders over Remembrancetide. The project was started by the Women’s Section of The Royal British Legion and helped by Winchester Women Reborn. Most of the knitters are from the Winchester area. The poppies will, along with Box 459, form a striking impact as we remember the dreadful consequences of what is still ironically known as the Great War.

MONDAY 5 TO SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER, Daily at 7.15amREMEMBRANCE SILENT LIGHTDaily at 7.15am,To remember those who served, were injured or died for their country, keeping the peace.Including 11 minutes’ Silence, followed by 8.00am Holy Communion in the Cathedral.Monday 5th – The Old Hyde Abbey SiteTuesday 6th – The Law Courts forecourtWednesday 7th – Oliver’s BatteryThursday 8th – The Crypt in the CathedralFriday 9th – Peninsula Square, the BarracksSaturday 10th – The War Memorial

Outdoor events under all weathers, except in The Crypt and Communion in the Cathedral if you wish to celebrate Eucharist afterward. For more information, email rupertmarks@gmail.com

MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER, 7.30PMHAYDN – SEVEN LAST WORDSMusic and readings to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War, featuring young people from various schools in Winchester.No tickets required.

WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER, 2.30PM, PAUL WOODHOUSE SUITE‘THE MIRACLE FLOWER’ – FROM FLANDERS TO THE TOWER – JEREMY PRESCOTTFrom the iconic poem “In Flanders Fields” to the 2014 “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” at the Tower of London, Jeremy will look at the role the poppy has played in remembrance, the controversies surrounding it and how remembrance may be conducted in the future.Tickets £8 for Friends and £10 for non-friends. Available from the Friends Office. Please email dodie.napier@winchester-cathedral.org.uk or call 01962 857245.

WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER, 7.15PMWAR HORSEA special screening of War Horse in the magnificent Nave of Winchester Cathedral. Directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay written by Lee Hall and Richard Curtis, based on Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 novel War Horse. Tickets: £10 (£7 for under 7s)

THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER, 7.15PMBROUGH SCOTT – ‘THE AMAZING STORY OF A REAL WAR HORSE’John Brough Scott, MBE, is a British horse racing journalist, radio and TV presenter and former jockey. He is also the grandson and biographer of the noted First World War soldier ‘Galloper Jack’ Seely. This special talk will focus on the story of ‘Warrior’, bred by Jack Seely on the Isle of Wight, taken by him to France in August 1914 and ridden by Jack throughout the war. Tickets: £10 (£7 for under 7s)

FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER, 2PMFIRST WORLD WAR – IN MY END IS MY BEGINNING: TOUR AND CREAM TEAAs the commemorations for the centenary of the First World War draw to a close, we revisit all the places we have seen since 2014 – taking you down into the Crypt, along the Nave and up onto the roof. Music and poetry will be included. The tour lasts one and a half hours with cream tea afterwards. Be prepared – 129 steps to climb! Tickets: £12.50 Includes cream tea taken in the Cathedral Refectory after the tour.

FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER, 6PMDARING TO HOPE – A VIGIL OF PEACE AND REMEMBRANCE TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTENARY OF THE END OF THE FIRST WORLD WARAn hour of music, poetry and reflection including the music of Winchester Cathedral choir, images of local soldiers and a petal drop from the roof of the Cathedral nave. The congregation will have the opportunity to bring a copy of a memento of a loved one (such as a photo or army record) to the altar during this ceremony. No tickets required.

SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBERREMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICESThe bells will be rung half-muffled between 9.00 am and 9.55 am with a short pause at 9.10 am. When the bells are half-muffled, a leather pad is fitted to one side of each bell’s clapper which creates a poignant echo effect traditionally used at times of mourning.

10.00 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICE incorporating 2 minutes’ silence by the War Memorial
11.30 SUNG EUCHARIST
3.30 CHORAL EVENSONG
6.50 BATTLE’S OVER
This is the final act of remembrance and will involve a short prayer and readings, the lighting of a brazier to symbolise the lights coming back on over Europe, a lone piper playing When the Battle is Over (played for when soldiers returned to their barracks) and ending with the Cathedral’s bells ringing out for peace.

No tickets are required for services or any of the events on Armistice Day itself.Tickets for other events are from the Cathedral Box Office at www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk; 01962 857 275

Bill Wilson

2018 marks the centenary of the end of the First World War, and also of the visit of a certain Bill Wilson to Winchester Cathedral. A young officer sent from America to fight in the trenches, Bill survived the war and went on to write one of the world’s best-selling books – the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous. And on the first page he recounted the story of his wartime visit to the cathedral. Today people from all over the world make the trip to see the grave of Thomas Thetcher which so inspired him.